Redruth, British, Modern Restaurant Guide

2023 Review: This “hidden gem just outside Truro” from husband-and-wife team Ben & Sam Harmer features “impressive” cooking, “exceptional service” and a “splendid outdoor eating area” for warmer weather. Ben’s classical training took in the kitchens of The Savoy and Le Gavroche – hence “the soufflé is impressive”.

2022 Review: “Interesting food in an intimate dining room” makes Nigel Tabb’s former pub a “favourite local fine-dining venue”, making “great use of local Cornish ingredients”. It also helps that there’s a “small but well-constructed wine list which offers exceptional value”. It’s “a little difficult to find, away from the centre of Truro, but worth the effort”.

2023 Review: This “glorious spot” by the sea, close to the SW coastal path and with a front-conservatory to take advantage of sea views, was taken over by high-profile chef Michael Caines of Lympstone Manor in 2020. Quell hopes of any culinary fireworks, though – reports here didn’t hit the heights this year, with the experience too often “let down by chaotic service and pedestrian food”.

“The combination of informality, fantastic location, superb discrete service and excellent food makes this a winner” – Olga Polizzi’s flagship in St Mawes has established it as perhaps the most famous and stylish hotel in Cornwall, although it was a run-down mess when she bought it 27 years ago (she cheered herself up by watching episodes of Fawlty Towers!). The “lovely dining room is well served with top seafood” although it is fair to say the culinary level achieved does not quite match the “exceptional” setting.

“Such a beautiful place to dine with great views over the harbour” – this stylish coastal retreat (a Relais & Châteaux property) occupies a “stunning” position above the beach. “Service is smooth, friendly and typically Cornish and new chef Carla Jones [in post since late 2024] has steadied the ship” with cooking that’s uniformly enjoyed. Its ratings were undercut this year, though, by quibbles, even from fans – for example “good but overpriced”; or, “if there was a complaint, it’s that some dishes were overdone – for example fish is delivered from the quay 200 yards away fresh as a daisy – why then jazz it up in a strong sauce… otherwise a great dining experience”.

“This place is very popular and delightful”, according to fans of Jude Kereama’s harbourside restaurant with rooms, whose interesting menus reflect his Kiwi/Asian heritage. One or two reporters tip its cheaper sibling though (“Kota Kai is better value… and has better views!”)

Jude Kereama’s second venue – sister to nearby Kota – occupies the top floor of Celtic House with views across Porthleven harbour from most tables. Its menu is well-rated and mixes ‘Mini Kai’ of smaller bites (such as Duck bao bun or Tempura Porthilly oysters) with main plates of items such as Seafood Laksa or Panko Hake Fillet.

A “great view of the beach” (particularly from the deck) and across the bay to Godrevy Lighthouse in the distance has long been the major draw to this seaside café; while the food isn’t quite what it once was (breakfast is take-away only these days), it does its job, with dishes like crab linguine and fish ‘n’ chips playing up the local catch. PS – if you’re making a day of it, they also rent out 36 brightly coloured beachside ‘pods’ or shacks, allowing you to store your beach kit and refuel at this restaurant without the hassle of carting your valuables with you.

“Great fresh fish, good wine list and friendly service – all with a view of St Ives harbour”: this sibling to the Porthminster Café from Aussie-born chef Mick Smith is one of the better venues in a town “stuffed with restaurants, most of them not worth the bother – this one is, with modern British fare that’s both consistent and good”.

2023 Review: “Simply all that you could desire of a gastropub” – this attractive twelfth-century inn welcomes everyone from walkers from the nearby SW Coast Path near St Michael’s Mount to dog walkers with its enjoyable bistro-style food – “good Sunday lunch” in particular.

Adam Handling has upped sticks from Carbis Bay and in July 2025 (after our annual diners’ poll had concluded) relocated his mega-ambitious Cornish operation to this monumental hotel: a vast clifftop landmark (built in 1897) with 86 rooms in a commanding coastal position, overlooking Fistral Beach. The newly created space seats 50 covers inside, 20 on the terrace, and 30 in the bar (separate menu) and is supported by a 500-bin cellar. A three-course menu is £100 per person or there’s also a nine-course tasting menu for £175 per person (and afternoon tea for £50 per person). At his former location practically all reports acknowledged the “exceptional” cuisine although occasionally the trade-off was thought to be “ridiculous prices”, not helped by the blandness of the Carbis Bay setting: reports please!

2024 Review: Set within a “beautiful sculpture park” outside Penzance hosting works by art-world stars James Turrell and Richard Long amongst others, this pleasant eight-year-old restaurant offers an “excellent selection of vegetarian dishes” (but not just) and classic cream teas. Stop in for the “lovely brunch and then walk it off” in the grounds – or else grab a takeaway from their hut, and picnic on the hill with views of St Michael’s Mount.

2022 Review: A “fabulous location with stunning views of the Fal Estuary” remains the main draw to this smart quayside brasserie, though its “good, varied menu” is “well presented and precisely cooked” too. Getting a window seat is something of a challenge – as is getting a spot for breakfast and brunch, so think of booking ahead.

A “fantastic small restaurant” – Falmouth’s first recipient of a Michelin Green Star, which it won in 2023, two years after opening, for its “hyper-local, impeccably sourced food” (the furthest farm they work with being just an hour and a half away). Dishes are “expertly cooked by chef-owner Hylton Espey”, who runs the operation with wife Petronella, and “the menu takes you on a journey across Cornwall and beyond”, whether you go for the five-course, £60 per person ‘Discovery’ lunch or seven-course, £85 per person ‘Journey’ supper.

2024 Review: “A real find” – this “outstanding small eats” spot has an open kitchen which sources its fish, seafood, beef, charcuterie, salad leaves, potatoes, pinot noir, rosé, beer, cider, gin, vodka, rum, soft drinks and more from Cornwall – “keep up the good work”, say fans, who apparently include Rick Stein!

“The owners of The Hidden Hut (a real foodie destination just the other side of Portscatho Beach) have branched out into the pub business with the Standard” – an independent freehouse with a south-facing beer garden whose history stretches back to 1793. Inside, “a lovely, cosy dining area awaits you with a log fire”, as well as a “fairly limited” but “high quality” menu including “excellent” fresh fish. Okay, so it “doesn’t have the views of ‘the Hut’, but for a great pub lunch it’s recommended” – Simon Stallard, who took on the project with his partner Jemma Glass, being a “chef whose hand you can trust”.

2024 Review: Costing £3 million and aiming to provide a ‘world class experience’, the new flagship destination at this landmark five-star hotel – a gigantic Victorian pile overlooking Fistral beach – opened in May 2023, too late for any feedback in our annual diners’ poll. The Headland offers tremendous sea views, and the new menu aims to showcase the best of Cornish fish and farm produce (RenMor means ’restaurant by the sea’ in Cornish). Maybe scope it out with a visit to one of the adjoining lounges for sarnies and cakes first – “afternoon tea looking out to sea couldn’t be more perfect”.